Page 10 of The Last Syphon

“I know.” He nodded. “You’d never do anything to intentionally harm Deadhaven. You’ve been its protector since your power manifested. But I think you should heed the old man’s warning. Once he’s done giving you a verbal lashing, you should return it before the Crowned Family realises it is missing. I fear it will be the only thing that will keep us safe.”

Inara knew he was right, but there was a part of her that absolutely hated the idea.

Her smile was strained. “I better go.” She turned to Felix. “You coming?”

He shook his rucksack filled with the treasure they’d looted from the dragons’ den. “I should probably go see Boltix and get this gold melted down. I think we have enough to make our next payment to Gideon.”

Gideon was due to arrive in only a few short days, and if they weren’t ready with his payment, he would not replenish the water stream. Without water, the entire village would fall within the week. He was from Pregon—otherwise known as the water kingdom because their city floated out in the middle of the Shadowed Seas. Their Guardian resided in the surrounding waters, making it one of the most fortified kingdoms in the realm because it was impossible to attack on foot. Most of its residents had the power to conjure or manipulate water in some way. And since nothing grew in the Borderlands, Inara had to pay Gideon once a month to come out and conjure water into the stream they had dug into the land.

“Smart idea. Find you later?”

“Yep. I’ll hunt us some dinner and meet you at the hut.”

Inara nodded. They shared a small home on the edge of the village. Living on one’s own in the Borderlands wasn’t a great idea. Raiders came to the village often, trying to steal food or supplies. Felix’s father, Neil, also lived with them, but he tended to spend most nights passed out on the tavern floor. Inara’s mother, Claire, had left a few years ago to undertake another adventure. It was par for the course for her mother. She would leave, sometimes for years at a time, to travel and see the realm. Inara never worried about her, for she always returned.

Being best friends since they were children, running around Deadhaven and causing trouble, it just made sense for Inara and Felix to live together. Protect each other. They’d done it all their lives, after all.

When she began to walk away, a dissatisfied rumble erupted out of the dragon, followed quickly by a feeling of utter displeasure rolling down her spine. Glancing over her shoulder, Inara sucked in a breath to see that he’d bent his neck all the way down to be face to face with her.

“Hello.” She chuckled.

He nudged her in the chest with his snout, almost knocking her completely on her ass. A heartfelt smile tugged at her lips. For a reason she could not explain, Inara almost felt…reluctant to leave him.

She pointed to the rundown shack across the village. “See that? That’s my home. You can wait for me there if you want. Or, you know, if you want to go off and do dragon things, that’s totally okay too.”

The thought of him leaving and never coming back left an empty pit in her stomach. Inara didn’t want him to go. But she didn’t own him. The dragon could do whatever he wanted.

He nudged her again.

“What?” She laughed. “You want to come with me?”

The dragon nodded. A feeling of protectiveness washed over her.

“You want to protect me?”

He nodded again.

Warmth filled her heart. “Don’t worry. Venerable Cias won’t hurt me. He’s all bark, no bite. I’ll see you soon, Harris. Do you like that name? Harris?”

Smoke puffed out of his nose, and he shook his head.

“No?” She snickered. “Okay. I’ll keep trying.” A thought occurred to her. “Do you have a name?”

He nodded.

Excitement shot through her. “What is it?”

He just stared at her. His mind brushed up against hers. It was…a strange feeling, something she could not put into words if she tried. She could feel it. Feel another consciousness in her head, moving around, slithering in and out like a snake.

It made her shiver.

The mind retreated. Gold-and-black eyes studied her warmly.

Inara cleared her throat. “I don’t know what the Fates that was, but don’t worry, I’ll try to figure out your name.” She ran a hand up his long snout, and he pushed into her palm affectionately. “Don’t eat anyone,” she whispered under her breath.

He flashed those razor-sharp teeth at her. They were truly terrifying. One of his teeth was at least the size of her whole body.

“Get out of here.” She laughed, shoving him away lightly.